Just change the channel

THE July 24 edition of this newspaper carried a letter by Engr. M. Zafar Iqbal from Karachi. In speaking for a substantial segment of Pakistani society, he wrote in his letter, titled ‘Ratings for TV programmes’, that of late, there had been an increasing in a “more explicit depiction of romantic relationships, use of strong language and mature themes” on television programmes.

Further: “I believe it is the right of a viewer to be informed about the maturity of a programme’s contents if he/she wishes to protect his/her children from premature exposure or to avoid embarrassing moments while watching TV with the family. Worlds like randi and mujra (in Geo’s Umrao Jan), and ‘porn’ and ‘triple X’, (in Indus Vision’s World Ka Centre were mentioned and were examples of strong language (no kidding!). Similarly, there were some passionate scenes in Umrao Jan and characters were shown urinating in World Ka Centre. It should not take more than common sense to realize that the above-mentioned contents would cause discomfort to most Pakistani families while watching TV together.”

While the gentleman might be right in saying that as a television viewer he should be told in advance —- perhaps in the form of a rating as happens in most American and British programmes —- what kind of content the show will have, the examples he gives seem to suggest that most Pakistanis have extremely prudish sensibilities. His assumption that most television viewing is done in Pakistan by families watching shows together is also not entirely true and at least in the cities this might be changing. Many young city people —- and World Ka Centre is a film that probably would have catered to this segment of the population —- watch television on their own. And in any case, why would a family, offended by the sound of words like randi or mujra, want to watch Umrao Jan in any case.

It would be fair to say that the letter reflects the views of a substantial cross-section of society. It would then be justified to generalize the argument presented in this one letter. Those who think that using words like randi or mujra is somehow bad should understand the context they are being used in. Mirza Ruswa’s Umrao Jan —- acclaimed as a fine piece of Urdu literature —- is about the lives of nautch girls in nineteenth century Oudh. That being the case, it is only logical that it will have words like randi and mujra in it. Those who object to such words being used in the play probably don’t approve of the play in the first place, in which case they are free (especially given cable TV today) to watch several other channels. In any case, a word like randi (just like its counterpart in English ‘prostitute’) might have a negative connotation but in the context of the story its use is necessary. Now, if some viewers have a problem with stories based on the lives of prostitutes being shown by a Pakistani channel, they are fooling themselves because prostitution has been around in this part of the world for thousands of years, and is thriving even now.

The problem with Indus Vision showing World Ka Centre, which actually is an excellent decision for those who like quality and incisive programming, is also a non-starter. What is wrong if a character in this short film used the world ‘porn’. English newspapers and magazines use it in Pakistan all the time. Forget the print media, even some of our ministers refer to pornography frequently (the information technology minister in his crusade to block porn has often done this) so should he be deemed to be indulging in obscenity? Of course not, because everything has to be seen in its context. What is unfortunate is that educated adults often lose sight of this. Not only that, they refuse to acknowledge the fact that they can always switch to another channel. After all, not everyone is bound to like every show that comes on the eighty odd channels available on cable these days.

It’s pity that our society is becoming so conservative that only those who have retrogressive views, who get offended when they hear references to dancing girls or see ‘explicit displays of romantic relationships’ (what could that be on a Pakistani show anyway, other than perhaps a couple holding hands) are the ones expressing their views all the time.—

OMAR R. QURAISHI

(email: omarq@cyber.net.pk)